Gary Sinise

He is married to actor Moira Harris since 1981. The couple has three children, Sophie, McCanna Anthony, and Ella, born in 1988, 1990, and 1992, respectively.

‘Amherst College’ bestowed him with an honorary ‘Doctorate of Humane Letters,’ in 2003.

He is a staunch supporter of the ‘Republican Party.’ He, however, refrained from voting or backing Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election and also censured Trump after he insulted John McCain and questioned McCain's bravery.

Gary was born on March 17, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, US, to Robert L Sinise and Mylles (Alsip) Sinise. His father was a film editor.

He studied at ‘Glenbard West High School’ in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, for a while and then attended the ‘Highland Park High School’ in Highland Park, Illinois, from where he completed his graduation. Thereafter, he attended the ‘Illinois State University.’

He founded the ‘Steppenwolf Theatre Company,’ along with Laurie Metcalf, Jeff Perry, and Terry Kinney, in 1974. It was earlier located in the Unitarian church on Half Day Road in Deerfield. It is presently located on Halsted Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Notable actors, playwrights, and directors, such as Ethan Hawke, Joan Allen, Glenne Headly, Gary Cole, Eric Simonson, Tina Landau, Terry Kinney, K.Todd Freeman, and Frank Galati, have displayed their skills at ‘Steppenwolf.’ Sinise, who honed his skills both as an actor and director at the theater, won a ‘Joseph Jefferson Award’ for directing the play ‘Orphans’ by Lyle Kessler.

He appeared as an uncredited extra in the 1978 American comedy film ‘A Wedding.’ He then appeared in a single episode of the soap opera ‘Knots Landing’ (1980).

Sinise started getting attention after ‘Steppenwolf’ produced Sam Shepard’s play ‘True West’ in 1982. Sinise directed the play, apart from playing one of the lead roles alongside John Malkovich. His theatrical pursuits earned him an ‘Obie Award’ for direction, in 1983. Sinise and Malkovich also appeared in the TV movie based on the play, featured in the ‘PBS’ anthology series ‘American Playhouse’ in January 1984.

Sinise then directed the film ‘Miles from Home,’ which released on September 12, 1988. The film, starring Richard Gere and Kevin Anderson, was featured at the ‘Cannes Film Festival’ that year.

In 2003, he co-founded the cover band ‘Lt. Dan Band’ with Kimo Williams. The band, named after ‘Lieutenant Dan Taylor,’ his character from the film ‘Forrest Gump,’ performs at ‘USO’ shows, entertains troops visiting military bases in the US and abroad, and makes efforts in raising funds for disabled veterans. It also performs for other non-profit organizations, such as ‘Operation Iraqi Children,’ a charitable program co-created by Sinise in March 2004 to send school supplies to Iraqi children.

He was the narrator of the 2008 ‘Discovery Channel HD’ documentary miniseries ‘When We Left Earth.’ Later that year, he narrated for ‘US Army’ recruitment ads. He also acts as the national spokesperson for the ‘American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.’

His humanitarian pursuits have earned him several awards and recognitions, including the ‘Presidential Citizens Medal’ awarded by George W Bush in 2008.

He was made an honorary ‘US Navy Chief Petty Officer’ in August 2012, in recognition of his efforts in aiding war veterans. He was also named an honorary ‘Marine’ by the ‘Commandant of the Marine Corps’ on August 29, 2013, and an honorary ‘Battalion Chief’ of the ‘Fire Department of the City of New York’ (FDNY) on March 23, 2016.